From Gibraltar airport, you´ll be transferred to the ancient fishing port of Tarifa, the home of Skedaddle España for the past 20 years! This most southerly point of mainland Europe has had a turbulent history due to its strategic position on the western edge of the Straits of Gibraltar. Phoenician in origin, with a legacy left by Romans and architecture and culture and design by the Moors, it is now a fun and vibrant town to visit. Unspoilt, white Atlantic beaches spread out beyond the ancient walled medina that houses an eclectic warren of bars and restaurants to discover at your leisure.

We’d always recommend tagging on a day before your cycling begins for a day trip to discover Tangiers in Morocco, take a whale watching trip in the strait of Gibraltar or just relax on the beaches and stroll the alleyways to discover hidden gastronomic delights.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 710 Metres Approx.

Your first day riding is a cycling fiesta along the fabulous Coast of Light. Riding is initially along local cyclepaths and small tracks and roads and it won’t be long before your first stop at the huge migrating sand dune of Punta Paloma which offers incredible views back to Tarifa and across to the Rif mountains in Morocco.

The cycle path meanders through umbrella pines and coastal dune systems behind the wild Atlantic coastline to arrive at the huge crescent shaped beach of Bolonia, a many time winner of the ´Best beach in Spain´ award. The trail then descends on smooth gravel, high above pine-clad dunes and pristine coves to the infamous bay of Atlanterra, home to many coastal mansions that wouldn´t be out of place in Beverley Hills!

Some easy coastal kilometres lead you past Zahara de los Atunes, a tiny fishing village, famed for its ancient tuna market that you can walk through today. Zahara is a foodie heaven with an excellent choice of restaurants. You will leave Zahara and head along the Eurovelo 8 cycle tourism route behind the wild coastline of the Atlantic. Cycling along this stretch of coast is a great opportunity to take a swim on your own private beach. What a privilege!

After kilometres of empty beaches you´ll enter the town of Barbate by crossing its river and ride along the seafront promenade. Barbate is an earthy fishing town, with a large Almadraba fleet, that has far more Andaluz character than touristic! It´s a great place to take a snack in a beach side bar or buy some supplies while watching the locals go about their business!

The last kilometres of today’s ride climb to the hilltop white town of Vejer de la Frontera, a jewel of the area’s ancient past. The old quarter of Vejer is a beautifully preserved Moorish medina that is a joy to wander to discover artisan boutiques, impressive views, historic architecture and many inviting bars and eateries.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 230 Metres Approx.

Before leaving Vejer you need to visit the Alcazar, the enticing Plaza de España and a morning coffee on the Corredera will impress with views of the sun rising over Africa!

You will leave town via the Poniente ridge, dotted with ancient windmills looking over La Janda farmlands and Atlantic coast before an exhilarating offroad descent takes you back into the pine forest to drop you to the beautiful cape of Trafalgar. This historic spit of land is well worth an explore to contemplate the historic event as well as to enjoy the beaches, wild ocean and cafés and restaurants of picturesque Caños de Meca.

Following cycle paths you´ll ride through the beach settlement of El Palmar, famed for the quality of its surf before pedalling on a beach-side track to your destination for the evening, Conil de la Frontera. Conil is a popular holiday destination for Spaniards due to the incredible beaches, attractive old quarter and abundance of excellent restuarants.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 350 Metres Approx.

A fabulous start to the day taking you from Conil along dramatic cliff-top tracks above the Fuente de Gallo beach and the cove of Aciete. Twisting your way through pines you will pass the tiny fishing port of Conil before climbing past the Cape and light-house of Roche. The riding is stunning with fabulous views and opportunities to walk down footpaths to secluded beaches.

Your route crosses the attractive resort of Santi Petri by newly built gravel trails that weave through the forests, avoiding traffic. After passing the attractive centre of Chiclana the route follows cycle paths as it enters the Natural park of the Bay of Cadiz. This area of wetlands is a maze of waterways. You will pass over bridges and ride by the Chiclana salt pans, dating back to the 5th century when the Phoenicians settled in the area. A visit to the salt museum or lunch at the restaurant is well worth it in this unique environment.

The end of today´s route takes you beachside along a spit of land to the island of the Ancient in city of Cadiz, surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. A circumnavigation of the island on cycle paths is a great way to explore, passing the golden domed cathedral and the Castillo de San Sebastian at Caleta beach before meandering through narrow lanes to find your hotel. Cadiz is a wonderful place to explore in the evening with a fabulous food and flamenco scene.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 390 Metres Approx.

The day begins with a short passenger ferry ride across the bay of Cadiz to the attractive fishing town of Rota, once an important trading post with North Africa. Enjoy some time at the harbour over a morning coffee before jumping on your bikes and riding past the Castillo de Luna, the long stretch of sand of the Costilla beach and the Corales de Rota. The route from here will take you along the Via Verde Entre Rios, once part of an industrial rail network that has been transformed into a cycle way of smooth gravel to the beach town of Chipiona, a great stop off to enjoy fabulous sea food and maybe a visit to the interesting Museo de Moscatel.

The ride is leisurely along a via verde, through cultivated lands, to the enchanting Sanlucar de Barrameda. The town, part of the ‘sherry triangle´ stands on the left bank of the mouth of the River Guadalquivir, where the famous Manzanilla wine is produced. Located opposite Doñana National Park, one of the most beautiful and important wetlands in Europe, Sanlucar, dates back to Muslim times. It´s a great place to spend some time due to its rich cuisine, based on fish and seafood and abundant bodegas.

From Sanlucar, you’ll ride up along-side the Guadalquivir estuary overlooking the Doñana National park which is a haven of bird life, including pink flamingos.

The route will take you through cultivated farmlands, passing paddy fields, salt flats and marshes and through the pretty pine forest of the Pinar de Monte Algaida. At the Hermitage of Carmen your route swings south-east and heads away from the coast along smooth asphalt, cutting through huge vineyards and passing world-renowned sherry bodegas.

You’ll finish the day riding into Jerez where you can discover the beautiful old quarter and imposing Cathedral. In the evening, we invite you for a tour in a world-renowned sherry Bodega, before heading out to explore the enticing bars and restaurants the town has to offer.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 755 Metres Approx.

Meandering out of the city you begin to climb up and over the Cerro de San Cristobal hills, with amazing views of the ocean and the bay of Cadiz. Sandy tracks will eat up the kms with ease, as you drop back towards the lowland salt flats and over the Rio San Pedro.

A journey through the Santa Ana pine forest helps you skirt the edge of Puerto Santa Maria before picking up the long winding gravel trail of La Ruta de dos Bahias (the route of 2 bays) that links the bays of Cadiz and Algeciras. The trail follows a cañada or drovers trail through La Janda farmlands, past the ancient quarry of Berrueco before climbing to the white hilltop village of Medina Sidonia, considered by some to be the oldest town in Europe! The 13th century castle and Roman sites are worth a visit, as are the bars and restaurants, giving a perfectly spaced stop for a late lunch.

A fabulous descent takes you back to the gravel trails and over a three arched Roman bridge and onto the attractive village of Benalup for the evening, on the edge of the wild Alcornocales Natural Park.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 490 Metres Approx.

The last day of your gravel journey jumps straight back onto terrific trails that blast you south. You’ll head past paddy fields and irrigated farmlands, following the high ridges of the Alcornocales park. The area is home to diverse birdlife and it´s not uncommon to see pink flamingos, purple gallinule or red and black kites!

As the trail approaches the village of Facinas is an ideal pit stop for refreshments. From here dark, forested, hills stand between you and the journey’s end in Tarifa. Some easy asphalt kilometres skirt the sides of the Sierra de Fates before a steady climb on a gravel road gives rise to unforgettable views of the Straits of Gibraltar, slicing between 2 continents.

A speedy descent on white grit trails takes you through thickets of cork oak and back to the coast at Tarifa for a celebratory sundowner.

• Meals: Breakfast

Unfortunately, it’s time to leave this beautiful region and travel home. Depending on flight times, you may have time to spend the morning exploring Tarifa, before we transfer you back to Gibraltar airport for flights home.

If you’d prefer to fly into and return from Malaga, we can also arrange transfers for this – please contact us for a quote.